Vffr1

[originally posted 10/08/03]

What are the chances? Today my Wife and I decided to have lunch at the Crow’s Nest in Santa Cruz, California. After we walked out of the restaurant, we found two oddly-parked 2004 TL’s with Canadian plates and their crew.

There were approximately 5 gentleman wearing white Acura button-up shirts. I rang out “I have an 03 TL, but I like your cars better.” One of the gentleman introduced himself to me as the Chief Electrical Engineer, we had a small conversation and then he introduced me to the rest of the crew, which included Acura TL’ Chief Engineer Erik Bergman.

Apparently, the cars (down from Canada) are here for a media blitz with Canadian Journalist. I was able to speak to the Acura folks for about 20 minutes, my brain went into overdrive and I started firing off every question I could think of. Here is what I confirmed.

270 bhp
No Type-S planned
On star on hold, but will be brought back at a later time
Blue tooth confirmed
Canadian models will not have fog lights, USA models will have the fog lights
8” Navigation screens vs. the 5.5 navigation screen in the Gen II cars
No turn signals in the mirrors like the TSX’s
No 4 wheel drive planned

Impressions: The cars looked better then I imagined, my Wife now wants one. I have two pictures I would like to have up-loaded (need some help with this, can someone e-mail me at Vffr1@sbcglobal.net and placed the photos in this forum for me.

The first picture is of me (wearing shorts) and Chief Engineer Erik Bergman, the entire crew we’re really nice. The second is of both cars, showing the Canadian plate. What a once-in-a-lifetime-experience. I had a day I will never forget.

Is this worthy of a sticky?

Mike Smeezy

riceburner503

What are the chances!! I wish I could meet the chief engineer of the new TL. Great catch man.

Raheel

LOL, I didn't learn too much from your POST

You basically confirmed some things

We have known all that, We already have the car in USA, and people already bought some, and they are selling

You should have asked him if there will be new Engine in any future model or something interesting

You should have bought them dinner, than they would have gave you some special ACURA VIP Card, and you get a new 04 TL for free (I know Kind of far fetched, but good to think)

Raheel

BTW, You can attach your pictures by choosing attachment at the bottom of a post reply..

If that doesn't work, Email me:

Raheel@Comcast.net and I will host them for you

oracion

What are you confirming? Those are known facts. The cars are already in the showrooms.

Raheel

Heres Some Pictures that vffr1 sent me

CLICK ON PICTURES FOR HIGHER RESOLUTION VERSION!



CLICK ON PICTURES FOR HIGHER RESOLUTION VERSION!



CLICK ON PICTURES FOR HIGHER RESOLUTION VERSION!

Vffr1

I'm sorry, I havn't been on this site for a while and I forgot how many people like to poo-poo anything they read.

If you don't like or need the information, ignore it. Since this was such an unuasal situation, I thought I'd give all the information I recieved straight for the horses mouth.

Sorry for confirming the information everyone knows already.

Ducth Hater!! (Austine Powers)

Raheel

LOL, no its just that, you were so happy to get all your questions answered by a big engineer..

If you would have been on this site more, you would have already had the answers

gotta love the internet

kman156

the geeky engineers are always at some bar getting loaded! i can picture them writing/diagraming on cocktail napkins all faced! " hey why don't we put the e-brake on the other side just to F w/ people!" hardy har har har! should of asked them if they were the same guys that engineered the infamous dropping tranny!

Vffr1

I'm sorry, but that's funny

jimbobo

Vffr1, great post and cool pictures. I especially like the blue
color and the white was good too. I am not sure what color to choose when I get my TL.

The camel interior is the way to go for me though.

Do not let these guys get you down on here.
Talking directly to the Acura guys gets the info confirmed
and I for one appreciate you sharing your experience.

BTW the Cros Nest is fantastic. I used to live in the BA
and every now and then we make the run over 17 to get liquored
up when I was going to SJSU work my magic on some of those Sant Cruz women. Seeing the nest again brings back memories...

Every been to the Black Watch?

peace

kman156

i'm glad you took it in the vain in which it was meant! FUNNY! cool you met those guys! still, you should of asked them about the tranny's?

OldGuy

I found out something new from the post. Canadian cars don't have fog lights. First it was the hands free not available as a standard on the base model. Then I found out the XM radio is not available in Canada. Now no fog lights. Its a piss off. I still think the car is great and will not cancel my order. The price is $1000 Cdn cheaper than last year's Type S.

Datta540i

The new TL looks a bit like the new BMW 5 Series. I hate the way the new 5 looks but love the new TL!

neuronbob

Thanks for the pictures, Vffr1. I would have loved to have met the engineers...to thank them for my new ride. I've had it almost a week and love it more each day. I'm no Acura fan boy, but this is the nicest car I've ever owned. All it needs are some springs (as soon as they're out, I'll buy them) to reduce what little body roll there is.

Vffr1

Jimboo,

Thank you so much for your posting, I really don't get why people are so quick to roast others, put them down or belittle them, as they sit safely behind there computer screens, as you said, I was just re-confirming what I already thought was the case and I admit I was excited to post the encounter with what I thought were my TL friends.

While others suggested I call the eingineers on all of the shortfalls of the Gen II cars, all I can say to those folks is, "When you meet them, you ask them those hard nosed questions."

Also, I believe in what I call a "Formula for Life" whereby we as people make decisions about our daily lives, and sometime during our live we find out if our formula is working or not.

I can safely state that the universe "Winks at Me" quite a bit, such as was the case with the Acura connection I made.

Black Watch: Do I know where the Black Watch is? Well, I’m not really a drinker, but when I do, I go straight to, and only to the Black Watch. I will then typically get one of those 16 oz $4 Cranberry Kamikazes', a New Castle, a bag of pretzels and some liars dice. That's a good night.

Let me know when your in town, drinks are on me at the Watch.

Thanks again,

Michael

Raheel

Canadians get so much and still B!TCH

You got white/black color combo!

You finally got navigation..

You also have daytime running lights.

Plus you dont have Bluetooth only on the Base Model, and the base model is extremely CHEAP!

So Quit Whining

Be Happy Acura is giving you a TL over there at all..

They should just keep selling the 03 A-Spec as 04 A-Spec in Canada and give the new TL ONLY to U.S.

Raheel

YOU ARE NOW!

Vffr1

I wanted to bring this back becuase when I frist posted this thread, I had no idea that a few months later I would own one of these awesom cars.

I'm the dude in the shorts.

Mike Smeezy

Z Factor

Thanks for sharing

rets

Vffr1,

Thanks for your posts and information.


However, I really wish you spent more time in the past weeks with us, so you could ask more meaningful questions for powerless ppl. (I'm not saying you're mistaken, but just like to have someone helping us more if this is the opportunity. )

Tons of ppl got memeory seat lost issue, 50-55 vibration issue, and EL42s issue, etc. Ppl may beg you to ask... They're not shortfall stuff, but the existed/waiting-for-fix questions.

Since ACS only can record your complaint without giving your the proper answers as well as the stupid dealers cannot fix problems, the occasions to offically meet with Acura engineers or luckily chat with them would be the only chance to talk through the whole issues...

We need to know what those guys in Headquarters think.





P.S. I think this unexpected encounter with engineers and a couple of minutes' conversation with crews are really great experience since we love their products and use them for a long time. I'll do the same thing as you share with us.

Thanks so much for this.

need4spd

Vffr, now if you could only meet them again, what would you ask?

Very cool stuff, and thanks!

Qatar

Vffr1,
I haven't had the chance to thank you for your first post and the pictures, so Thanks a lot.
And congratulatiosn on the ride, great choice bro.
Hope you like it

Vffr1

I would ask them to sign my dashboard in permenate ink.

Mike Smeezy


PS. Qatar,

Your most welcome!